Vehicle exterior door handle system with light module

ABSTRACT

A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly and a light module disposed at the door handle assembly. The light module includes a circuit board having a plurality of illumination sources disposed thereat. Individual illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources are electrically operable to emit light. When the individual illumination sources are electrically operated with the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light module emits light at least outboard away from the door of the equipped vehicle. With the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light module is operable to indicate a charge level of a battery of the equipped vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 18/152,955, filed Jan. 11, 2023, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,718,233,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/662,441,filed May 9, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,554,720, which is a division ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/622,314, filed Dec. 13, 2019, nowU.S. Pat. No. 11,325,536, which is a 371 national phase filing of PCTApplication No. PCT/US2018/037215, filed Jun. 13, 2018, which claims thefiling benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/518,766,filed Jun. 13, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exterior mirrors and door handles forvehicles and, more particularly, to lighted exterior mirror assembliesor lighted exterior door handle assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide illumination or light sources at the side of thevehicle, such as to provide security lighting or convenience lighting atthe side of the vehicle. For example, such lighting devices aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,349,450; 6,550,103; 5,371,659; 5,669,699;5,823,654 and 5,497,305, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Typically, such lighting devices provideillumination along the side of the vehicle and down to the ground at theside of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an illumination module or device for avehicle, such as for an exterior rearview mirror assembly. Theillumination module provides a forward lighting and/or forward turnlighting function via a plurality of illumination sources, such as aplurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like, disposed in theillumination module. The LEDs are disposed along a circuit board andarranged to emit light generally normal to a plane of the circuit board(such as upward or downward when the circuit board and illuminationmodule are disposed in an exterior rearview mirror assembly at avehicle), and a light guiding element is disposed along the circuitboard and LEDs and configured to direct light in a generally horizontaldirection (normal to the direction in which the light is emitted), suchas forward and sideward of the vehicle when the circuit board andillumination module are disposed in the exterior rearview mirrorassembly at the vehicle. The LEDs are individually actuatable to providevarious desired or selected patterns of light. Aspects of the mirrorillumination module are also suitable for an illumination module for adoor handle assembly of a vehicle.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle exterior rearview mirrorassembly having a lighting module in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the vehicle exterior rearviewmirror assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle exterior rearviewmirror assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the light module of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is another exploded perspective view of the light module of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the light module of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective and partial sectional view of the light moduleof the present invention;

FIG. 8 is another perspective and partial sectional view of the lightmodule of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the light module of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 10-18 show various activation and deactivation patterns for theLEDs of the light module of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a door handle assembly for a vehicle, with asequential LED light strip disposed therein in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the door handle assembly andlight strip of FIG. 19 .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a vehicle exterior rearview mirror assembly is mountable at adoor of a vehicle and includes a light module (FIGS. 1-3 ). The lightmodule is disposed at or received in a recess or aperture of the mirrorcasing. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture is established orformed at least partially at a forward facing portion of the mirrorcasing, which faces generally forward in the direction of travel of thevehicle when the exterior rearview mirror assembly 1 is normally mountedat the side of the vehicle, and extends towards or to a side portion ofthe mirror casing. The light module includes a plurality of forwardlighting illumination sources, such as light emitting diodes or thelike, and at least one turn signal indicating illumination source, suchas at least one light emitting diode or the like, and the light moduleis configured to emit illumination in a generally forward and/orsideward and/or rearward direction when electrically powered. Theforward facing illumination sources are independently and selectivelyenergized at selected or varying intensities to provide a selectablerange and intensity of illumination generally forward and/or sidewardand/or rearward of the vehicle, such as in response to a user inputdisposed in the passenger compartment or cabin of the vehicle, asdiscussed below. The light module may utilize aspects of the lightmodules described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,801,245; 8,764,256 and/or8,333,492, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2013-0242586, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The light moduleincludes a light guiding or directing or reflecting element or reflectorand a light piping and cover element or lens, which are configured toprovide the desired or selected or appropriate illumination when eitheror both of the forward lighting illumination sources and/or the turnsignal indicator illumination sources are activated or energized, asdiscussed below.

The light module of the present invention provides a sequential turnindicator that is a turn indicator lamp in an outside rear view mirrorthat lights up individual emitters in sequence to give the illusion ofmotion as the turn indicator flashes on and off. The purpose is toattract more attention to the signal and to add an aesthetic qualitythat can set an OEM apart in the market.

Because most turn indicator modules incorporated in exterior rear-viewmirrors are curved in shape, the light sources are not situated in astraight line, but rather along a curve. Since most economical LED lightsources use surface-mount technology, this means that if it is desiredto have the LEDs pointing outward, the PCB holding the LEDs may have tocomprise a flexible element, or may have to be segmented to follow thecurvature of the mirror housing, with each segment connected togetherusing wires or other means of interconnection.

Flexible or segmented PCBs would increase the cost of manufacturing theturn indicator. Therefore, the light module may comprise a single rigidPCB with the LEDs arranged along a curve, facing either straight down orstraight up, with an optical element that redirects the light from avertical direction to a horizontal (outward) direction.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a rearview mirror with a turn signal indicatormodule. Most of the indicator is visible generally from the front sideof the vehicle, with a small portion wrapping around the housing so itis visible from the rear side of the vehicle. This rear-facing portionis necessary to allow it to be visible to passing motorists, and is thedirection toward which the majority of the light from the homologationLED is focused.

FIG. 3 shows the rearview mirror in a semi-exploded state where thehousing and turn indicator module are separated from the rest of theassembly. It can be seen that the turn indicator module is somewhatcurved in shape to follow the contour of the mirror housing.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show exploded views of the turn indicator module, whichcomprises one or more (and preferably all) of the following components:

-   -   Lens—PMMA (poly-methyl methacrylate);    -   Light Guide—PMMA;    -   PCBA—Rigid FR4 PCB with microcontroller, LEDs, LED drivers        (which may comprise individual components including resistors,        diodes and integrated circuits) and connector terminals (adapted        for connecting to a wire harness of the mirror and/or vehicle);    -   Module Housing—ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene); and    -   Foam Gasket (not shown), to seal module to mirror housing to        mitigate wind noise.

In the assembly, the PCBA and light guide are situated in the cavityformed between the lens and the housing. During manufacture, the lens isattached to the housing around the entire periphery using vibration orsonic welding, providing a water-tight seal for the assembly.Optionally, the lens and the light guide may comprise the same materialand may be formed together to be coextensive and to provide a lightguiding lens or cover element of unitary construction.

FIG. 6 shows the PCBA and light guide situated in the module housing,with the lens hidden for clarity. The individual LEDs on the PCBA areoriented in a downward direction, above the light guide, and each LED isaligned with a feature on the light guide that gathers the light anddirects it outward toward the front and sides of the vehicle. Thisembodiment utilizes total internal reflection (TIR). If light interiorto the light guide meets a smooth exterior surface of the light guide ata sufficiently shallow angle, most or all of the light will be reflectedinternally, guiding the light within the plastic. This is also referredto as light-piping.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a sectional view of the turn indicator module inclose proximity to one of the LEDs. FIG. 8 illustrates the light paththrough the light guide. Light from the LED is directed down to theinterior of the light guide, where it is reflected from theapproximately parabolic surface of the light guide and exits through thesurface of the light guide to the left in a generally horizontaldirection. There is a similar section in the light guide to direct thelight from homologation LED out the rearward facing end of the turnindicator.

Thus, the light module or turn signal module includes a planar circuitboard and a light guiding element. The planar circuit board has an upperplanar side and a lower planar side, and, with the lighted exteriorrearview mirror assembly mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle andwith the equipped vehicle on a ground or road surface, the upper andlower planar sides of the planar circuit board of the light module areoriented parallel to the road surface. The light module comprises aplurality of illumination sources operable to emit light, such as atleast three or four (or more) linearly arranged illumination sourcesdisposed at a mounting side (either the upper planar side or the lowerplanar side) of the planar circuit board. When the illumination sourcesare actuated, light emitted by each of the illumination sources isemitted in a direction normal to the mounting side of the planar circuitboard. The light guiding element of the light module is disposed at andalong at least the mounting side of the planar circuit board, and isconfigured so that light emitted by the illumination sources in thedirection generally normal to the mounting side of the planar circuitboard is redirected by the light guiding element so that light emanatesfrom the light guiding element in a direction generally parallel to themounting side of the planar circuit board so that the emitted lightemanates from the light module generally parallel to the road surface.

Thus, and such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the mounting side may be thelower planar side of the circuit board, whereby light emitted by theLEDs is generally downward, such that the light guiding element disposedat and along the lower side of the circuit board directs or redirectsthe emitted light (that is emitted downward) generally horizontally sothat light emanating from the light guiding element and the coverelement of the light module is directed or emitted generallyhorizontally (and forward and sideward of the vehicle). Optionally, themounting side of the PCB may be the upper planar side, such that thelight guiding element is disposed along the upper side and directs theemitted light (that is emitted upward) generally horizontally so thatlight emanating from the light guiding element and the cover element ofthe light module is directed or emitted generally horizontally (andforward and sideward of the vehicle).

Optionally, it is envisioned that the circuit board may comprise avertically oriented circuit board, with LEDs that emit light generallyhorizontally, whereby a light guiding element of the light moduledirects or redirects the horizontally emitted light so that lightemanating from the light module is directed generally vertically, suchas upward or downward.

The light module includes a housing and a light transmitting cover, withthe light guiding element and the planar circuit board disposed in acavity formed by the housing and the light transmitting cover. The lightguiding element and the light transmitting cover may be formed togetherso as to comprise a unitary construction. The planar circuit board hasan edge spanning between the upper side and the lower side, and the edgecomprises a curved outer edge (that may be curved to generallycorrespond with the contour of the exterior mirror casing), with thelight guiding element curved to correspond with the curved outer edge ofthe planar circuit board. The light transmitting cover is curved tocorrespond with the curved light guiding element.

The light emitting diodes are controlled responsive to a user input inthe equipped vehicle that is actuatable by a driver of the vehicle toprovide illumination emanating from the light module of the exteriorrearview mirror assembly. For example, the user input, when actuated bythe driver of the equipped vehicle, may activate a turn signal indicatorsystem of the equipped vehicle. Optionally, the light emitting diodesmay be activated in a different pattern responsive to actuation ofanother user input or trigger of the equipped vehicle. The differentpattern may be indicative of a door lock/unlock function or may beresponsive to a signal from a key fob or the like. The activationsequence or rate of flash of the light emitting diodes may becontrollable via a communication link between a vehicle body controllerof the equipped vehicle and the light module. Optionally, the activationsequence or rate of flash of the light emitting diodes may vary oradjust responsive at least in part to a speed of the equipped vehicle.For example, a turn signal indication when the vehicle is stopped ortraveling at a lower speed may be at a slower flash rate than a turnsignal indication when the vehicle is traveling at a higher speed.

FIG. 9 shows a turn signal module such as what might be included in theexterior rear view mirror. The LED 1 is a light emitting diode (LED)that is positioned in a way to emit light to the rear and side of thevehicle, so passing vehicles may be able to see it. The remaining LEDs(LEDs 2-5) are facing mostly forward.

Turn signals flash at a rate of approximately 0.4 seconds on and 0.4seconds off. The homologation LED needs to flash on and off at the samerate and timing as the rest of the turn signal lamps on the vehicle. Theremaining LEDs (LEDs 2-5) may be lit in sequence for the desired visualeffect.

The fill sequence shown in FIG. 9 can be known as a “fill” sequence.During the 0.4 seconds that the turn indicator is on, LEDs 2-5 turn onin sequence until they are all on, as if it were filling up. All of theLEDs then turn off at the same time for the off interval.

The number of LEDs in the module that take part in the sequence is notlimited to four. For a smoother looking sequence, any number of LEDsmaybe used, such as 8 or 16 for example.

Many different types of sequences can be displayed using this array ofLEDs. An OEM may select one to be used all of the time, or optionally,the OEM may provide to the end user a means to change the sequence asdesired, either by preference or to correspond to different drivingconditions. For example, one flash sequence may be used for high-speeddriving, while a different sequence can be used when the vehicle isbeing driven slowly or standing still. FIGS. 10-18 show several optionalflash sequences.

A microcontroller in the turn indicator module may be used to controlthe LED lighting sequence. In this way the turn indicator can operatesomewhat autonomously and the electrical interface to the vehicle may beno different than a standard (ON-OFF) turn indicator. Alternatively, thesequence may be controlled using a body control module in another partof the vehicle, however this may result in greater complexity in thevehicle.

In the case of having an embedded microcontroller in the turn indicatormodule, a data communication line may also be included in the electricalinterface (such as LIN, CAN or the like), which may be used to changethe sequence, such as when the end user changes their vehicle preferencesettings, or when the driving situation changes (speed, etc.). Becausethe power to the turn indicator module is cycled with every flash cycle,the microcontroller may incorporate a non-volatile memory (EEPROM) toremember the sequence setting between flash cycles.

Therefore, the present invention provides a light module forsequentially lighting individual emitters in a turn indicator for anexterior rearview mirror. To reduce cost, the PCBA is orientedhorizontally, with the LEDs pointed either up or down, whereby lightfrom the LEDs (when powered) is directed out of the module horizontallyby use of total internal reflection in a clear plastic light guide.Optionally, surface reflection from a more traditional metallic ormetallic plated plastic reflector may be used. The homologation LED isdriven directly from the power source independent of themicrocontroller. This prevents total loss of primary function if thereis a software error or other failure related to the microcontroller.

The flash sequence can be stored in non-volatile memory within themodule, and can either be selected at manufacture, or in the field bythe end user or by certain conditions such as vehicle speed, day ornight, or the like. A communication line between a vehicle bodycontroller and the turn indicator module can provide a means to changethe sequence. This communication line may convey the signal via a seriesof pulses, or using common vehicle bus standards such as LIN or CAN. Thecommunication line or link may comprise a wired or wirelesscommunication link between the devices or modules or controllers.

Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may incorporate ablind spot indicator device or element and/or a turn signal indicatordevice or element, such as by utilizing aspects of the devices describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,786,704; 8,058,977; 7,944,371; 7,626,749; 7,492,281;7,255,451; 6,198,409; 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The signalindicator or indication module may include or utilize aspects of variouslight modules or systems or devices, such as the types described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,581,859; 7,289,037; 6,227,689; 6,582,109; 5,371,659;5,497,306; 5,669,699; 5,823,654; 6,176,602 and/or 6,276,821, and/or U.S.Publication No. US-2006-0061008, and/or International Publication No. WO2006/124682, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly mayinclude a wide angle reflector at or integral with the reflectiveelement, such as by utilizing aspects of the elements described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,748,856; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 6,717,712; 7,126,456;6,315,419; 7,097,312 and/or 6,522,451, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may also comprise aground illumination light or puddle lamp, which provides downwarddirected illumination (and which may provide a back lit icon or indiciaor logo or the like), such as by utilizing aspects of the illuminationsystems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,764,256; 8,333,492; 5,371,659,5,823,654 and/or 5,497,305, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Optionally, the illumination module maycomprise a cornering light and a puddle lamp and turn signal light, andmay have a wrap-around style turn signal at the exterior mirror that maybe fitted with a prism lens or the like to project light in theappropriate direction and/or toward the targeted location. Theillumination module thus may include one or more illumination sourcesand one or more lenses or optics or light pipes or the like todistribute or direct illumination toward the appropriate targeted areas.

Optionally, a light module in accordance with the present invention maybe disposed at a door handle of the vehicle, such that an LED lightstrip is disposed within an exterior vehicle door handle and emits asequential light pattern or other light pattern.

Vehicles today are equipped with lighting features enclosed in the doorhandle, head lights, and tail lights. These lighting features can beused as welcome features, aesthetics, safety features, or forvehicle-driver feedback. Door handles may contain light pipes, pocketlights, and other LED light strips. Furthermore, head lights and taillights can be programmed to produce flashing or fading on/off patternsand day running lights (DLR).

In one embodiment of the present invention, vehicular feedback to thedriver is enhanced when certain actions are performed by the driver suchas locking/unlocking the doors. Another embodiment of the presentinvention may distinguish the sequential door handle from other doorhandles on the market by creating new innovative lighting features andimproving vehicle aesthetics.

FIG. 19 shows a fully assembled view of the LED light strip in a doorhandle. The LED light strip is contained within the handle. FIG. 20shows an exploded view of the LED light strip within a handle. The LEDlight strip emits light outward, away from the vehicle. The LED lightstrip emits a sequential light pattern outward from the vehicle aftercertain actions are performed by the driver. The light strip is enclosedor contained within the door handle. The sequential lighting feature canbe used to enhance a vehicle's welcome feature, aesthetics, safetyfeatures, or vehicle-driver feedback. The LEDs are sequentially poweredto provide a desired pattern of emitting light, and may comprise whiteLEDs or other single color LEDs, or the LEDs of the light strip maycomprise multiple colored LEDs, depending on the particular applicationof the door handle light module.

Optionally, the sequential lighting feature of the door handle mayprovide a turn signal indicator at the side of the vehicle, such as forapplications where an exterior mirror is not present (where a camerasystem may provide rearward and sideward views for object detection orthe like, such as may be incorporated in a fully autonomous vehicle orthe like) or where a sufficiently large exterior mirror (that is largeenough to house a turn signal indicator) is not present. The door handleindicator may function independent of the mirror indicator or the twoindicators (if both a mirror indicator and door handle indicator arepresent at a side of the vehicle) may operate together to providesequential activation of the LEDs of the mirror indicator followed by(or preceded by) sequential (such as front to rear, or rear to front ifpreceding the mirror indicator activation) activation of the LEDs of thedoor handle indicator.

During operation of the door handle light module, the sequence couldstart from the outer LEDs and ‘collide’ at the center or from the centerout. Optionally, the door handle may provide or include a ‘pocket light’where the light strip with two or more LEDs is inside the door handlestrap such that it illuminates the ‘pocket’ of the door sheet metal.Optionally, the door handle pocket light may have colored LEDs or an RGB(red-blue-green) LED that can emit different colors for indicatingthings to the driver (like lock/unlock, such as, for example, red toindicate the door has been locked and green to indicate that the door isunlocked). Optionally, a microcontroller may be disposed inside the doorhandle to control the sequence, which would allow the user/driver tochange the appearance or pattern of the door handle sequence/color bypushing and holding the lock button for a certain amount of time (morethan typical for just locking the handle). Such a reconfigurable orprogrammable or customizable lighting pattern may be a nested/hiddenfunction. Optionally, the light module may actuate its LEDs in patternsthat may indicate codes or the like, such as by energizing a particularnumber of the LEDs. Optionally, the number of LEDs energized may beindicative of a battery level in an Electric vehicle or the like.

The sequential door handle light feature thus comprises an LED stripthat emits light in a sequential pattern when certain vehicular actionsare performed by the driver such as locking/unlocking the doors. Thesequential door handle thus improves the feedback that the driverreceives when certain basic car functions are performed. The sequentialdoor handle also provides an aesthetically pleasing door handle featurefor the driver that is distinct from what is currently on the market.

The lighted exterior door handle system includes a light module disposedat a lighted exterior door handle assembly. The light module includes acircuit board and a plurality of illumination sources (such as aplurality of light emitting diodes, such as a plurality of linearlyarranged light emitting diodes) operable to emit light. When theillumination sources are actuated, light emitted by each of theillumination sources is emitted outboard away from the door of theequipped vehicle. When the door of the equipped vehicle is unlocked, thelight module emits light in a first pattern, and when the door of theequipped vehicle is locked, the light module emits light in a secondpattern that is different from the first pattern. The light module mayemit the first and second patterns of light responsive to a signal froma remote device, such as a key fob or smart phone or the like. Thedifferent patterns of light are provided by changing the actuationsequence of the light emitting diodes or the color of light emitted bythe light emitting diodes or flash rate of the light emitting diodes orthe like.

The light module comprises a housing and a light transmitting cover, andthe circuit board is disposed in a cavity formed by the housing and thelight transmitting cover. The light emitting diodes are individuallyelectrically controllable to provide a desired pattern of illumination.Optionally, the light emitting diodes may be controlled responsive to auser input in the equipped vehicle that is actuatable by a driver oroccupant of the equipped vehicle to provide illumination emanating fromthe light module of the exterior door handle assembly. The user inputmay be actuatable to activate a turn signal indicator system of theequipped vehicle, whereby, responsive to actuation of the user input toactivate the turn signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle, thelight emitting diodes are actuated to emit light in a third pattern thatis different from the first pattern and different from the secondpattern. Optionally, the light emitting diodes may be activated to emitlight in a fourth pattern responsive to actuation of another user inputor trigger of the equipped vehicle, with the fourth pattern beingdifferent from each of the first, second and third patterns.

Optionally, the light emitting diodes may be activated in a differentpattern responsive to actuation of another user input or trigger of theequipped vehicle. The different pattern may be indicative of a turnsignal function or a security system function or may be responsive to asignal from a key fob or the like. The activation sequence or rate offlash of the light emitting diodes may be controllable via acommunication link between a vehicle body controller of the equippedvehicle and the light module. Optionally, the activation sequence orrate of flash of the light emitting diodes may vary or adjust responsiveat least in part to a speed of the equipped vehicle. For example, a turnsignal indication when the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a lowerspeed may be at a slower flash rate than a turn signal indication whenthe vehicle is traveling at a higher speed.

Optionally, a user's smart phone or other mobile device may use an appthat can be used as the primary interface for configuration options forthe light module. For example, such an app would not only simplify thecreation of user interfaces for configuring and customizing variousfeatures on the vehicle, it would also provide an important relationshiplink back to the end consumer. This relationship link can then be usedto feed important industry developments, technologies or aftermarketproduct information to customers, as well as providing the opportunityto deliver additional services into the future.

Lighting is an excellent feature for offering all manner ofcustomization and personalization, and offers just enough functionalityfor introducing an app that can customize the vehicle. Optionally, suchan app may also be used to profile the customer and transferpersonalization options between vehicles.

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system, the vehicularlighted exterior door handle system comprising: a lighted exterior doorhandle assembly configured for mounting at a door of a vehicle equippedwith the vehicular lighted exterior door handle system; a light moduledisposed at the lighted exterior door handle assembly, the light modulecomprising a circuit board having a plurality of illumination sourcesdisposed thereat; wherein individual illumination sources of theplurality of illumination sources are electrically operable to emitlight; wherein, when the individual illumination sources areelectrically operated with the lighted exterior door handle assemblymounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light module emitslight at least outboard away from the door of the equipped vehicle; andwherein, with the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at thedoor of the equipped vehicle, the light module is operable to indicate acharge level of a battery of the equipped vehicle.
 2. The vehicularlighted exterior door handle system of claim 1, wherein the light moduleemit lights in a first pattern responsive to a first input received atthe light module, and wherein the light module emits light in a secondpattern responsive to a second input received at the light module, andwherein the second pattern is different from the first pattern.
 3. Thevehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 2, wherein, withthe lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of theequipped vehicle, the first input comprises an input indicative of thecharge level of the battery of the vehicle.
 4. The vehicular lightedexterior door handle system of claim 2, wherein the second pattern isprogrammable by a user.
 5. The vehicular lighted exterior door handlesystem of claim 2, wherein, with the lighted exterior door handleassembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, and when theillumination sources are electrically operated with the door of theequipped vehicle unlocked, the light module emits light in the secondpattern.
 6. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim5, wherein, with the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted atthe door of the equipped vehicle, and when the illumination sources areelectrically operated with the door of the equipped vehicle locked, thelight module emits light in a third pattern that is different from thefirst pattern and that is different from the second pattern.
 7. Thevehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 6, wherein thedifferent second and third patterns of light are provided by at leastone selected from the group consisting of (i) changing an actuationsequence of the illumination sources and (ii) changing color of lightemitted by the illumination sources.
 8. The vehicular lighted exteriordoor handle system of claim 1, wherein the light module comprises ahousing and a light transmitting cover, and wherein the circuit board isdisposed in a cavity between the housing and the light transmittingcover.
 9. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 1,wherein the circuit board has circuitry established thereat, and whereinthe circuitry comprises (i) a microcontroller, (ii) the illuminationsources, (iii) drivers for the illumination sources and (iv) connectorterminals.
 10. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of illumination sources comprises aplurality of light emitting diodes.
 11. The vehicular lighted exteriordoor handle system of claim 10, wherein the light emitting diodes of theplurality of light emitting diodes are individually electricallycontrollable to provide a desired pattern of illumination.
 12. Thevehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 11, wherein, withthe lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of theequipped vehicle, the light emitting diodes of the plurality of lightemitting diodes are controlled responsive to a user input in theequipped vehicle that is actuatable by a driver of the equipped vehicleto provide illumination emanating from the light module of the lightedexterior door handle assembly.
 13. The vehicular lighted exterior doorhandle system of claim 12, wherein the user input, when actuated by thedriver of the equipped vehicle, activates a turn signal indicator systemof the equipped vehicle.
 14. The vehicular lighted exterior door handlesystem of claim 13, wherein, responsive to actuation of the user inputto activate the turn signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle,the light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes areelectrically operated to emit light in a pattern that is different fromthe indication of the charge level of the battery of the equippedvehicle.
 15. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim1, wherein, with the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted atthe door of the equipped vehicle, an actuation sequence or rate of flashof the illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources iscontrollable via a communication link between a vehicle body controllerof the equipped vehicle and the light module.
 16. The vehicular lightedexterior door handle system of claim 1, wherein, with the lightedexterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equippedvehicle, at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) anactuation sequence of the illumination sources of the plurality ofillumination sources varies responsive at least in part to speed of theequipped vehicle and (ii) a rate of flash of the illumination sources ofthe plurality of illumination sources varies responsive at least in partto speed of the equipped vehicle.
 17. The vehicular lighted exteriordoor handle system of claim 1, wherein, with the lighted exterior doorhandle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the lightmodule indicates the charge level of the battery of the equipped vehicleresponsive to an input indicative of the charge level of the battery ofthe equipped vehicle.
 18. A vehicular lighted exterior door handlesystem, the vehicular lighted exterior door handle system comprising: alighted exterior door handle assembly configured for mounting at a doorof a vehicle equipped with the vehicular lighted exterior door handlesystem; a light module disposed at the lighted exterior door handleassembly, the light module comprising a circuit board having a pluralityof illumination sources disposed thereat; wherein individualillumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources areelectrically operable to emit light; wherein, when the individualillumination sources are electrically operated with the lighted exteriordoor handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, thelight module emits light at least outboard away from the door of theequipped vehicle; wherein, with the lighted exterior door handleassembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light moduleindicates a charge level of a battery of the equipped vehicle responsiveto a first input indicative of the charge level of the battery of thevehicle; and wherein the light module indicates a door lock statusresponsive to a second input indicative of the door lock status.
 19. Thevehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 18, wherein thelight module comprises a housing and a light transmitting cover, andwherein the circuit board is disposed in a cavity between the housingand the light transmitting cover.
 20. The vehicular lighted exteriordoor handle system of claim 18, wherein the circuit board has circuitryestablished thereat, and wherein the circuitry comprises (i) amicrocontroller, (ii) the illumination sources, (iii) drivers for theillumination sources and (iv) connector terminals.
 21. The vehicularlighted exterior door handle system of claim 18, wherein the pluralityof illumination sources comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.22. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 21,wherein the light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emittingdiodes are individually electrically controllable to provide a desiredindication.
 23. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system ofclaim 22, wherein, with the lighted exterior door handle assemblymounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light emitting diodesof the plurality of light emitting diodes are controlled responsive to auser input in the equipped vehicle that is actuatable by a driver of theequipped vehicle to provide illumination emanating from the light moduleof the lighted exterior door handle assembly.
 24. The vehicular lightedexterior door handle system of claim 23, wherein the user input, whenactuated by the driver of the equipped vehicle, activates a turn signalindicator system of the equipped vehicle.
 25. The vehicular lightedexterior door handle system of claim 24, wherein, responsive toactuation of the user input to activate the turn signal indicator systemof the equipped vehicle, the light emitting diodes of the plurality oflight emitting diodes are electrically operated to emit light in apattern that is different from the indication of the charge level of thebattery of the equipped vehicle and that is different from theindication of the door lock status.
 26. The vehicular lighted exteriordoor handle system of claim 18, wherein, with the lighted exterior doorhandle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, anactuation sequence or rate of flash of the illumination sources of theplurality of illumination sources is controllable via a communicationlink between a vehicle body controller of the equipped vehicle and thelight module.
 27. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system ofclaim 18, wherein, with the lighted exterior door handle assemblymounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, at least one selected fromthe group consisting of (i) an actuation sequence of the illuminationsources of the plurality of illumination sources varies responsive atleast in part to speed of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a rate of flashof the illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sourcesvaries responsive at least in part to speed of the equipped vehicle. 28.A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system, the vehicular lightedexterior door handle system comprising: a lighted exterior door handleassembly configured for mounting at a door of a vehicle equipped withthe vehicular lighted exterior door handle system; a light moduledisposed at the lighted exterior door handle assembly, the light modulecomprising a circuit board having a plurality of illumination sourcesdisposed thereat; wherein individual illumination sources of theplurality of illumination sources are electrically operable to emitlight; wherein the plurality of illumination sources comprises aplurality of light emitting diodes; wherein, when the individualillumination sources are electrically operated with the lighted exteriordoor handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, thelight module emits light at least outboard away from the door of theequipped vehicle; wherein, with the lighted exterior door handleassembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light moduleemit lights in a first pattern responsive to a first input received atthe light module, and wherein the light module emits light in a secondpattern responsive to a second input received at the light module, andwherein the second pattern is different from the first pattern; andwherein the first input comprises an input indicative of a charge levelof a battery of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the first patternindicates the charge level of the battery of the equipped vehicle. 29.The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 28, whereinthe second pattern is programmable by a user.
 30. The vehicular lightedexterior door handle system of claim 28, wherein, with the lightedexterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equippedvehicle, and when the illumination sources are electrically operatedwith the door of the equipped vehicle unlocked, the light module emitslight in the second pattern.
 31. The vehicular lighted exterior doorhandle system of claim 30, wherein, with the lighted exterior doorhandle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, and whenthe illumination sources are electrically operated with the door of theequipped vehicle locked, the light module emits light in a third patternthat is different from the first pattern and that is different from thesecond pattern.
 32. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system ofclaim 31, wherein the different second and third patterns of light areprovided by at least one selected from the group consisting of (i)changing an actuation sequence of the illumination sources and (ii)changing color of light emitted by the illumination sources.
 33. Thevehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 28, wherein thelight module comprises a housing and a light transmitting cover, andwherein the circuit board is disposed in a cavity between the housingand the light transmitting cover.
 34. The vehicular lighted exteriordoor handle system of claim 28, wherein the circuit board has circuitryestablished thereat, and wherein the circuitry comprises (i) amicrocontroller, (ii) the illumination sources, (iii) drivers for theillumination sources and (iv) connector terminals.
 35. The vehicularlighted exterior door handle system of claim 28, wherein the secondinput is responsive to activation by a driver of the equipped vehicle ofa turn signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein thelight module emits light in the second pattern to indicate activation ofthe turn signal indicator system responsive to the second input receivedat the light module.
 36. The vehicular lighted exterior door handlesystem of claim 28, wherein, with the lighted exterior door handleassembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, an actuationsequence or rate of flash of the illumination sources of the pluralityof illumination sources is controllable via a communication link betweena vehicle body controller of the equipped vehicle and the light module.37. The vehicular lighted exterior door handle system of claim 28,wherein, with the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at thedoor of the equipped vehicle, at least one selected from the groupconsisting of (i) an actuation sequence of the illumination sources ofthe plurality of illumination sources varies responsive at least in partto speed of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a rate of flash of theillumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources variesresponsive at least in part to speed of the equipped vehicle.